US NATIONAL NEWS

President Biden on Overdose Awareness Week 2024

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2024

WASHINGTON – During Overdose Awareness Week, we mourn those who have lost their lives to overdose deaths. We acknowledge the devastating toll the opioid epidemic has taken on individuals, families, and communities across America. We reflect on the progress we have made so far in reducing the number of annual overdose deaths and protecting American lives — and how much more there is to do. And we reaffirm our commitment to doing more to disrupt the supply of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and support those who suffer with substance use disorder and their families in all of our communities.

My Administration made beating the opioid epidemic a key priority in my Unity Agenda for the Nation, calling for Republicans and Democrats to work together to stop fentanyl from flowing into our communities, hold those who brought it here accountable, and deliver life-saving medication and care across America.

We are working to tackle this crisis through a comprehensive approach, including by expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services as well as reducing the supply of illicit drugs. We have expanded access to life-saving treatments, like medications to treatopioid use disorder, and have increased the number of health care providers who can prescribe these medications by 15 times. In February 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule to comprehensively update the regulations in governing Opioid Treatment Programs for the first time in 20 years — removing barriers to the treatment of substance use disorder and expanding access to care. My Administration has made historic investments in the State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response programs to improve prevention; expand treatment; and deliver free, life-saving medicationsacross America. Already, this program has delivered nearly 10 million kits of opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone.

We also continue to fight the stigmatization that surrounds substance use and accidental overdose so that people feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it. Naloxone is now available over-the-counter for people to purchase at their local grocery stores and pharmacies. We also launched the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose and severalawareness campaigns, raising awareness andsecuring commitments from local governments and cross-sector organizations to increase training on and access to opioid overdose reversal medications in schools, worksites, transit systems, and other places where overdose may occur in our communities. My Fiscal Year 2025 Budget requests $22 billion to expand substance use treatment and help more Americans achieve and stay in recovery.

Under my Administration, Federal law enforcement agents are keeping more deadly drugs out of our communities than ever before. We are seizing deadly drugs at our borders so that illicit drugs never reach our neighborhoods. Officials have stopped more illicit fentanyl at ports of entry over the last 2 fiscal years than in the previous 5 fiscal years combined. The Department of Justice has prosecuted leaders of the world’s largest and most powerful drug cartel along with thousands of drug traffickers. The Department of the Treasury has sanctioned more than 300 people and organizations involved in the global illicit drug trade. I have also deployed cutting-edge drug detection technology across our southwest border, and I continue to call on the Congress to strengthen border security, increase penalties on those who bring deadly drugs into our communities, and close loopholes that drug traffickers exploit. And in July 2024, I issued a National Security Memorandum that calls on all relevant Federal departments and agencies to work collaboratively to do even more than they are already doing to stop the supply of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into our country.

I am also committed to working with partners across the globe to address this crisis. Last year, I negotiated the re-launch of counternarcotics cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China — which has led to increased law enforcement coordination, increased efforts to tackle illicit financing of drug cartels, and increased regulation of certain precursor chemicals. I have increased counternarcotics cooperation with other key foreign governments; launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, which brings together more than 150 countries in the fight against drug trafficking cartels; put in place new initiatives between the United States, Mexico, and Canada targeting the supply of illicit drugs; and made countering fentanyl and other synthetic opioids a key priority of the G7.

Now for the first time in 5 years, the number of overdose deaths in the United States has started to decline. But even one death is one too many, and far too many Americans continue to lose loved ones to fentanyl.

Today I grieve with all the families and friends who have lost someone to an overdose. This is a time to act. And this is a time to stand together — for all those we have lost and all the lives we can still save.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 25 through August 31, 2024, as Overdose Awareness Week. I call upon citizens, government agencies, civil society organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise awareness of substance use disorder so that our Nation can combat stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery, and strengthen our collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths. August 31 also marks Overdose Awareness Day, on which we honor and remember those who have lost their lives to the overdose epidemic.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Entertainment

Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility

Published

7 days ago

November 6, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

Source: Jeffery Williams

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.

During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.

“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”

That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.

Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.

His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”

Kareen Kennedy wearing her JLorenzos in 2019

Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.

“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”

His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.

Photo Courtesy of Jeffery Williams

When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.

“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”

Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.

In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Sports

NFL Reveals Full Lineup for Super Bowl LX Week — From Opening Night to Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show

Published

1 week ago

November 4, 2025

Willie David

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (FNN) — The National Football League (NFL) and the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) have unveiled the official lineup of Super Bowl LX events and activations, set to take place across the San Francisco Bay Area from February 2–9, 2026. This year’s festivities promise an immersive week blending sports, music, art, and innovation in one of America’s most dynamic regions.

NFL and Bay Area Leaders Celebrate a Decade Since Super Bowl 50

“As we return to the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, a decade after Super Bowl 50, we’re fully embracing the region’s unique

energy,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President for Club Business, Major Events & International. “This is a place that has always driven innovation, and we’re creating a week that reflects the Bay Area’s culture, food, and creativity.”

Zaileen Janmohamed, President and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee, added, “Super Bowl LX is more than a game — it’s a moment to unite and showcase the full identity of our region while delivering lasting community impact.”

Week-Long Super Bowl LX Experiences Across the Bay

The Bay Area will host a full slate of fan experiences, concerts, and community programs, including:

Super Bowl Opening Night Fueled by Gatorade (Feb. 2) – Fans can see both AFC and NFC champions at the San Jose Convention Center.
Pro Bowl Games Powered by Verizon (Feb. 3) – Moving to Super Bowl Week for the first time, hosted at Moscone Center South.
Super Bowl Experience Presented by Jersey Mike’s (Feb. 3–7) – Interactive exhibits, autographs, and the Vince Lombardi Trophy display at Moscone Center.
NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign (Feb. 5) – Awards ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts.
BAHC Live! Concert Series (Feb. 5–7) – Performances at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, featuring Chris Stapleton and Sierra Ferrell.
BAHC Super Bowl LX Innovation Summit (Feb. 6) – A first-of-its-kind event at SFMOMA, spotlighting tech, sports, and creativity.
Super Bowl Breakfast (Feb. 7) – Hosted by Tony Dungy at the Marriott Marquis, honoring NFL players for character and leadership.
Taste of the NFL (Feb. 7) – Culinary showcase at The Hibernia, benefiting GENYOUth and youth food security programs.
Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game (Feb. 7) – Celebrity and athlete showdown at Moscone Center, streaming on YouTube.
Super Bowl LX Game Day (Feb. 8) – Championship game at Levi’s Stadium, headlined by Bad Bunny in the Apple Music Halftime Show.

The Bay Area’s Biggest Week of the Year

From Yerba Buena Gardens Fan Zone to NFL Culture Club at The Pearl, Super Bowl LX Week will transform San Francisco into the epicenter of sports, culture, and innovation. With fan engagement, community events, and world-class entertainment, this year’s Super Bowl aims to celebrate both football and the vibrant character of the Bay Area.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Mayor Jerry Demings Enters 2026 Florida Governor’s Race, Could Make History as First Black Governor

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

Willie David

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, a Democrat and former sheriff, has officially filed paperwork to run for Florida governor in the 2026 election, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Demings filed his candidacy on October 31, 2025, joining a growing list of hopefuls from both parties looking to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.

Demings, who leads one of Florida’s most populous counties and home to Orlando and its world-renowned theme parks, brings decades of experience in law enforcement and local government to his campaign.

Political Background and Historic Potential

If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first African American governor, marking a historic milestone for the state. However, he is not the first Black candidate to represent Democrats in a gubernatorial race—former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum narrowly lost to DeSantis in 2018 in one of Florida’s closest elections in history.

Demings, 65, began his career as an Orlando police officer in the early 1980s, rising to become Orlando’s police chief by 1998. A decade later, he made history again as Orange County’s first Black sheriff.

He is married to former U.S. Representative Val Demings, who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 against Senator Marco Rubio. The couple’s long-standing presence in Florida politics and law enforcement has made them a respected pair within the Democratic Party.

A Crowded 2026 Gubernatorial Field

Demings is the second high-profile Democrat to enter the race, following former U.S. Rep. David Jolly. On the Republican side, the field is also competitive: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds—who has received an early endorsement from former President Donald Trump—is considered a leading contender. Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins have also signaled interest in the GOP nomination.

If both Demings and Donalds secure their respective party nominations, Florida could see its first-ever governor’s race between two major-party Black candidates.

However, the campaign trail is already heating up. A spokesperson for Donalds’ campaign criticized Demings in a statement to reporters, calling him “weak, woke, and wrong for Florida,” and accusing him of “pushing soft-on-crime policies” during his time as police chief and mayor.

Despite early attacks, Democrats view Demings as one of their strongest contenders in years to reclaim the governor’s office in the nation’s third-most populous state.

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